Anekanta-vada ( Skt. अनेकान्तवाद , anekāntavāda IAST , literally “teaching about non-exclusivity”) is the basic principle of Jainism , which states that reality is perceived differently depending on the point of view on it, and none of the points of view on reality is absolutely true [1] . Jainism postulates that only the kevali — the owners of infinite knowledge — know the truth fully, while other creatures can only partially know it. In a general sense, anekantavad is similar to the principles of the doctrine of the subjectivism of Western philosophy.
Thus, anekanta-vada preaches to his followers respect for the views and beliefs of others: one should not reject any point of view only because it perceives the environment from a different angle; it should be considered that other visions may contain the truth.
By its nature, anekanta-vada in some sense expands the framework of Jainism, since any system of philosophical views, including Jainism itself, in a certain way limits the perception of reality by its conventions and dogma. In this sense, anekanta-vada reveals features similar to the European relativistic worldview.
See also
- Calavada
- Mayavada
- Nirishvaravada
- Satkarya Wada
Notes
- ↑ Kanaeva N. A. Indian philosophy of antiquity and the Middle Ages / In the author's edition. - Moscow: Ros. Acad. Sciences, Institute of Philosophy, 2008. - p. 113. - 255 p. - 500 copies - ISBN 978-5-9540-0097-9 .